She turned wearily.  Mutimer took a letter from his pocket.

‘Will you read that?’

She took it.  It was written in a very clear, delicate hand, and ran thus:—­

’DEAR SIR,—­I who address you have lain for two years on a bed from which I shall never move till I am carried to my grave.  My age is three-and-twenty; an accident which happened to me a few days after my twenty-first birthday left me without the use of my limbs; it often seems to me that it would have been better if I had died, but there is no arguing with fate, and the wise thing is to accept cheerfully whatever befalls us.  I hoped at one time to take an active part in life, and my interest in the world’s progress is as strong as ever, especially in everything that concerns social reform.  I have for some time known your name, and have constantly sought information about your grand work at New Wanley.  Now I venture to write (by the hand of a dear friend), to express my admiration for your high endeavour, and my grief at the circumstances which have made you powerless to continue it.

’I am possessed of means, and, as you see, can spend but little on myself.  I ask you, with much earnestness, to let me be of some small use to the cause of social justice, by putting, in your hands the sum of five hundred pounds, to be employed as may seem good to you.  I need not affect to be ignorant of your position, and it is my great fear lest you should be unable to work for Socialism with your undivided energies.  Will. you accept this money, and continue by means of public lecturing to spread the gospel of emancipation?  That I am convinced is your first desire.  If you will do me this great kindness, I shall ask your permission to arrange that the same sum be paid to you annually, for the next ten years, whether I still live or not.  To be helping in this indirect way would cheer me more than you can think.  I enclose a draft on Messrs.—.

’As I do not know your private address, I send. this to the office of the “Piery Cross.”  Pardon me for desiring to remain anonymous; many reasons necessitate it.  If you grant me this favour, will you advertise the word “Accepted” in the “Times” newspaper within ten days?

’With heartfelt sympathy and admiration,
’I sign myself,
‘A FRIEND.’

Adela was unmoved; she returned the letter as if it had no interest for her.

‘What do you think of that?’ said Mutimer, forgetting their differences in his exultation.

‘I am glad you can continue your work,’ Adela replied absently.

She was moving away when he again stopped her.

‘Look here, Adela.’  He hesitated.  ‘Are you still angry with me?’

She was silent.

’I am sorry I lost my temper.  I didn’t mean all I said to you.  Will you try and forget it?’

Her lips spoke for her.

‘I will try.’

‘You needn’t go on doing housework now,’ he said assuringly.  ’Are you going?  Come and say good-night.’